The Sillerman First Book Prize for Poetry is now accepting submissions from unpublished African poets interested in winning the USD 1000 and a publishing deal.

The annual poetry contest is made possible by funding from philanthropists Laura and Robert F. X. Sillerman, whose generous contributions have facilitated the establishment of the African Poetry Book Fund while Mr. and Mrs. Sillerman have also welcomed the use of their name for the First Book Prize for African Poets.

The prize will only accept "first book" submissions from African writers who have not published a book-length poetry collection. This includes self-published books if they were sold online, in stores, or at readings, a statement from the organisers said.

Manuscripts will be accepted between September 15th and November 15th and should be at least 50 pages long. Entrants are free to submit more than one manuscript.

The winner will be announced on the African Poetry Book Fund website on or before January 1. And the winning manuscript will be published in the US and Senegal.